Aircraft

^{By Guy Norris / Los Angeles}

General Electric Honda has confirmed that Utah-based Spectrum Aeronautical is among the light jets targeted for the HF118 turbo­fan, the first proof-of-concept version of which could run by the end of this year.

Revealing details about the revised design of the engine, GE Honda president Gary Leonard says: “We’re talking to everybody,” but confirms Spectrum – which is developing a light jet with a composite fuselage – is a specific potential application. “We think that’s an interesting technology,” he adds.

Although Spectrum has adopted the Williams International FJ33 for its nine-seat Spectrum 33, the manufacturer has only flown the initial proof-of-concept version and has not begun serial production.

Another expected development, the HondaJet, has also been widely viewed as a natural home for the engine, but there is a technical “firewall” between the powerplant team and Honda, the prospective airframer. This was set up to ensure GE Honda can compete for other airframes. The engine is planned to enter service by early 2009, says Leonard. Production is expected to take place at a licensed GE site, although this could be eventually transferred to a Honda facility, he adds. Two different subscale fan designs, one from Honda and the other by GE, are meanwhile due to be tested in Japan.

The design was changed considerably after the HF118 lost to the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F in Embraer’s Phenom 100 competition. Changes include a more efficient compressor, a smaller core and higher initial thrust in the 2,000lb-thrust range (9kN).